'Time to limit use of natural resources'

Disna MUDALIGE

"New technology to protect natural resources is a need of the era. The time has come to limit the use of natural resources over the world, with the growing world population. Natural resources are inadequate even for the consumption of the present world population," Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said .

Anura Yapa

He said, a technology transfer programme from developed nations to developing nations is required to adopt environment friendly technology.

A heavy cost would be borne by developing nations like Sri Lanka when transferring technology used in developed nations to go green, the minister said. He emphasised that world leaders should pay more attention to this.

The minister was addressing the Student and Youth Sustainable Development Conference at the Folk Art Centre in Palawatte yesterday organized by the ministry and Sri Lankan Working Group on Rio+20 in preparation of the Rio+20 Summit.

People's extra luxurious lifestyles due to the capitalist economic system after the industrial revolution helped the exploitation of natural resources, Minister Yapa said. More attention would be paid within the next decade for the promotion of renewable energy resources for power generation, he said.

The aim of the government is to bestow a green economy for the future generation, the minister said.

Winners of the essay competition on Sustainable Development and Environment Diary Project were awarded certificates and gifts.

Ministry Secretary B M U D Basnayake and Sri Lankan Working Group on Rio+20 Convener Suranjan Kadithukakku were also present.